The national wine industry is not only keeping an eye on what's happening in Texas, but also recognizing people who are pushing its progress.

IntoWine.com, a site comprised of contributors who are into wine, including producers, sommeliers, chefs and enthusiasts, recently released its inaugural list of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry.

Ranked at No. 97 is Dr. Richard Becker, who founded Becker Vineyards in the Hill Country in 1995.

“These 100 people, from winemakers to lawmakers, bankers to bloggers, and sommeliers to celebrities are definitely people who influence wine; how it is made, marketed, perceived, sold, shipped, purchased and shared,” Michael Cervin writes, saying that suggestions came from a number of people to help produce the list.

Cervin writes that while Becker started producing only 1,500 cases, “now he routinely produces 50,000 cases of 20 different varietals, including Voigner (sic), Chenin Blanc, Mouvedre, Merlot, Malbec, even Gewurztraminer. But he is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon. The awards that Becker has won for these wines, especially the Voigner (sic), prove you can make fine wine in Texas Hill Country. Becker has influenced a number of Texas wineries by showing that for a well-crafted product, there is always a market. President George W. Bush served them at the White House.”

Becker received the news via email from the public relations coordinator at his vineyard.